The Greatest Showman: MOVIE REVIEW

The Greatest Showman is a musical that bases/celebrates the birth of show business. It is thoroughly inspired by the imagination of P.T. Barnum -- American showman, remembered for promoting celebrated hoaxes, founded the Barnum and Bailey circus -- was an American traveling circus company billed as the Greatest Show on Earth (hence ‘The Greatest Showman’). The movie was granted with great attention because it included a much known cast such as; Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Zendaya, Keala Settle, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, and more.

Considering real life facts about the Barnum and Bailey circus, the movie did dance around touchy subjects. In the movie, P.T. Barnum was portrayed as someone who accepted outcasts, but in real life his actions as a showman and his shows could at times be considered racist. For example, it is believed that Barnum got his start as a showman when he purchased and exhibited a blind and almost entirely paralyzed, elderly African American slave woman named Joice Heth. In the end though, after 146 years, and attendance rates dropping, Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus closed on May 21, 2017. There was a lot of controversy discussing the circus’ animal abuse and exploitation.

From my experience, the film brought out great joy from within. I went through a whirlwind of emotions: It made me feel hopeful and optimistic. I cried, laughed, danced, and singed… I could go on forever. Overall it is safe to say that The Greatest Showman is a feel good, heartwarming movie. I truly believe the ones who judge a book by its cover typically or the ones, who feel as if this movie would not be their kind of thing, will for sure enjoy themselves at least once throughout the movie.